The National Art School is the oldest, most prestigious visual arts institute in Australia with origins that can be traced back to 1843. It has a rich tradition of artistic practice and a well-renowned alumni. Housed in the historic walls of the old Darlinghurst Gaol in Sydney’s premier Arts precinct, the NAS offers a select number of full time students, Bachelor, Honours and Masters of Fine Art courses and for the community a comprehensive range of part-time and intensive short courses.The School has long been acknowledged as a centre of excellence in its delivery of a fine arts higher education. It has a distinguished alumnus and art collection spanning the history of Australian and international contemporary visual art up to the present day. Over three thousand artists have graduated from the school since 1922. NAS students are instructed in the disciplines of contemporary painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics together with art history and theory.